TISSUES OF THE BODY. 



295 



may take place rather in the middle of the muscle (fig. 277, b). Continuous 

 with its end, and playing the part of a tendon to a certain extent, we find 

 interstitial connective-tissue. These statements were then subsequently 

 corroborated by E. H. Weber, Biesiadecky, and Herzig, Aeby, and Krause, 

 who met with rounded and pointed forms of termination besides. 



291. Two muscle 

 fibres (a), with apparent 

 transition into the con- 

 nective-tissue bundles 

 of the tendon (6). 



Fig. 292. Two muscle fibres (a, b) after treat- 

 ment with solution of potash. One of them is 

 still connected with a tendinous bundle (c), 

 the other loosened from its attachment to 

 one of the latter (d). 



We can also convince ourselves that the opposite end of the fibres 

 may terminate in like manner. Krause is of opinion that no muscle 

 fibre exceeds 4 c. m. in length, and that those which are apparently longer 

 consist of two fusiform elements adhering together (2). Further investi- 

 gation appears desirable here. In short muscles the fibres probably tra- 

 verse, as a rule, the whole length of the muscle. In the longer muscles 

 of the frog, also, we may convince ourselves that this does in reality take 

 place (Koelliker, Weismann, Kiilme). 



EEMARKS. The views which were formerly most widely held may be arranged 

 under two heads. According to the first of these, the fleshy mass was directly con- 

 tinuous with the tendinous bundles ; to the second, that the muscle fibre, terminating 

 abruptly, was embraced externally at its end by the fibres of the tendon, in the same 

 way that the finger of one hand may be grasped by the tips of those, of the other. 



170. 



In examining muscular tissue chemically, we should be able to 

 separate its essential constituents, such as the striped fibres and con- 

 tractile cells, from those which are mere accessories, namely, connective- 

 tissue, vessels, and nerves. Further, we should be able to determine 

 what organic and what inorganic substances enter into the composition of 

 fibre and cell, and how they are distributed over nucleus, envelope, and 

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